Android TV

Android TV is a new variant of Google's mobile OS aimed at TVs, game consoles and set top boxes. The successor to the ill-fated Google TV, Android TV brings a new, streamlined user interface to TVs and set top boxes, designed to put content front and center. It's based upon Android 5.0 Lollipop, which of course also runs on phones, tablets and cars via Android Auto.

With Android TV you'll be able to watch content from a variety of providers such as Google Play, Netflix and YouTube as well as play a host of Android games. Google's voice search will help you get to what you want with ease and with Google Cast built in all the apps that support Chromecast will be able to interact with Android TV. The interface is primarily controlled through included TV-style remotes, but can also be used with a Bluetooth game controller or a remote app on your Android phone. App developers can target Android TV specifically when developing, and design apps and games with an interface that's specifically tailored to be viewed from a distance and controlled with a remote or game controller.

Sony has committed to putting Android TV on its complete 2015 TV lineup, with Sharp and TPVision committing to their 2015 TV lineup carrying the software. Android TV, and the first hardware to go with it, were announced at Google I/O 2014. Since then Google also released the Nexus Player, its first consumer-facing hardware to run Android TV, and other manufacturers have announced small set top box style units with the software on board.

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One of the coolest things we've seen in the past few weeks is the new Nexus Player. The consumer debut of Android TV brings a mix of Google TV and Chromecast, allowing you to do a bit more but also being a bit more intense (read: complicated) than everyone's favorite, the Chromecast. We think it'...

The Nexus Player is now available outside of the Google Play Store, notably at Best Buy, as well as online retailer Newegg. The device is available from both outlets for $99.99, with the game controller also available from both at a price of $39.99.
The Player served as the consumer launch of...

All Android TV

Google wants Android TV to be your hub, and your smartphone/tablet to be the controller.
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It looks like the Nexus Player is beginning its exploration of the wide, wide world. Google announced today that the Android TV device will be coming to Japan at the end of February for 12,800 yen (about $108).
Google revealed the expansion in a blog post today, noting that this is the first...

OK, technically it's "Q*bert: Rebooted." But the 1980s kid in me doesn't care. This version for the Nexus Player has got the original game alongside some newfangled rebooted version that's OK, but just not the same.
So grab a fistful of quarters (eight of them, actually, to buy this game) and...

Google's first Android TV box now available from even more retailers
A couple months after its initial release, you're finally able to purchase the $99 Nexus Player from retailers other than Google. That's important for a number of reasons — perhaps the best of which is that you might well have...

The Nexus Player is now available outside of the Google Play Store, notably at Best Buy, as well as online retailer Newegg. The device is available from both outlets for $99.99, with the game controller also available from both at a price of $39.99.
The Player served as the consumer launch of...

A quick heads up for you folks rocking a Nexus Player: The Google Cast Receiver — that's the part that does all that Chromecasting stuff — has been moved into Google Play (or at least updated, as folks are pointing out) for easier updating. So make sure you update it forthwith. Or whenever.
Just...

Android TV and PC games streamed to your living room
Right at the beginning of CES 2015 Razer, known primarily for its PC gaming products, launched its first Android TV device. The Forge TV is headed our way in Q1 for $99 on its own or $149 as part of a bundle with a game controller.
We stopped...

It's not exactly shocking news at this point, but Google has finally and officially retired its older Google TV operating system in favor of Android TV, although some older devices that used Google TV will be updated to the new television platform.
Google TV first launched in October 2010 but...

Sharp display with the added features of Android TV packed inside
Now that Google has started shipping Android TV packaged in the Nexus Player it was only a matter of time before we started seeing companies releasing TV sets with the software on board. Sharp is one of these companies doing just...

MediaTek has announced that they will be powering Sony's upcoming 2015 Android TV-enabled Bravia sets, shown off on Monday at CES2015. The company is also collaborating with Google on the first Ultra HD TV platform powered by Android TV.
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